KIRSTY Jacobs has achieved a lot for her 27 years and after moving to Swan Hill four and a half years ago fell in love with country life.
Now the registered psychologist has taken up the position of headspace Swan Hill manager and will continue her passion for youth mental health in rural Australia.
Ms Jacobs, born in South Africa, moved to Western Sydney at age seven.
Ms Jacobs studied for her Bachelor of Psychology degree (with honours) and her Masters of Professional Psychology degree at Western Sydney University but now she says she feels more like a “rural, regional, remote girl”.
She says this might have something to do with her origins in South Africa.
Now, in this sunny corner of the world, Ms Jacobs says she loves the Murray River and the lack of traffic.
“I much prefer the community and the relaxed lifestyle,” Ms Jacobs says.
“The work you’re able to do and helping vulnerable people is very meaningful.”
Ms Jacobs’ progress has been swift – she joined the headspace Swan Hill team in March 2017 as a newly graduated provisional psychologist before becoming a registered psychologist.
She took on the role of senior clinician at the end of 2019.
While she doesn’t have a specialisation, she says she has a passion for working with young people experiencing disordered eating and those who have dealt with trauma.
Her goal is to empower young people and the community to live life meaningfully, continuing headspace’s work.
“I want to build on the foundations that have been laid at headspace,” she said.
Headspace is a free service for people aged from 12 to 25 and offers support in areas including general health, mental health, study and work, and drugs and alcohol.
The team includes registered psychologists, an occupational therapist, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander engagement worker, youth workers, a social worker, a dietitian, an alcohol and drug counsellor and a housing support worker.
Ms Jacobs says headspace Swan Hill aims to be a “one-stop shop where young people can access many services under the one roof”.
“I hope to support and lead and embody the values of headspace and Swan Hill District Health, to keep getting young people help as soon as possible and build up resilience,” she said.
“I want young people to know mental health issues vary from something not being right to more significant experiences of depression and anxiety which get in the way of doing things they would usually enjoy.”
Ms Jacobs wants to give young people more tools and strategies to deal with a range of life struggles.
While headspace is known for working in early intervention, it maintains strong connections with tertiary services, schools and private practices that may be able to assist people with more complex needs.
Services in regional areas, she says, are “doing a lot of work and collaborating together to assist access for the younger generation and there is also lots of opportunity for support in the community”.
“We’re doing the best we can with what we have,” she said.
“While we will always need more of a workforce, there is strength in the continued support of the wider community and services.”
Outside work, Ms Jacobs keeps busy as a member of Tyntynder’s A-Reserve netball team and has hobbies including exercise, fishing and camping. She also has a precious beagle called Harry.
While it is hard being separated from family in Sydney, Ms Jacobs encourages people experiencing separation to create meaningful connections in other ways.
She says “green time” outside in nature and exercise, maintaining a regular sleep routine and connecting with loved ones online are all ways to make meaningful moments every day.
